ARTICLE 6. Liens and Encumbrances [765.010. - 765.060.]

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP 6.

in effect

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 765.010. Section 765.010.

(a) For purposes of this section: (1) “Harass” means engage in knowing and willful conduct that serves no legitimate purpose. (2) “Entity” includes both governmental and private entities. (b) A person shall not file or record, or direct another to file or record, a lawsuit, lien, or other encumbrance, including a notice of lis pendens, against another person or entity knowing it is false, with the intent to harass the person or entity or to influence or hinder the person in discharging his or her official duties if the person is a public officer or employee. (c) (1) A person or entity whose property is subject to a lien or encumbrance in violation of this section may petition the superior court of the county in which the person or entity resides or in which the property is located for an order, which may be granted ex parte, directing the lien or other encumbrance claimant to appear at a hearing before the court and show cause why the lien or other encumbrance should not be stricken and other relief provided by this article should not be granted. (2) The court shall schedule the hearing no earlier than 14 days after the date of the order. The scheduled date of the hearing shall allow adequate time for notice of the hearing.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 765.020. Section 765.020.

A petition under this article shall state the grounds upon which relief is requested, and shall be supported by the affidavit of the petitioner or the petitioner’s attorney setting forth a concise statement of the facts upon which the motion is based. The petition and affidavit shall be in substantially the form prescribed by the Judicial Council.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 765.030. Section 765.030.

If the court determines that the lien or other encumbrance is in violation of Section 765.010, the court shall issue an order striking and releasing the lien or other encumbrance and may award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees to the petitioner to be paid by the lien or other encumbrance claimant. If the court determines that the lien or other encumbrance is valid, the court shall issue an order so stating and may award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees to the encumbrance claimant to be paid by the petitioner. The court may direct that an order issued pursuant to this section be recorded.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 765.040. Section 765.040.

Any lien or encumbrance claimant who records or files, or directs another to record or file, a lawsuit, lien, or other encumbrance in violation of Section 765.010 shall be liable to the person subject to the lawsuit or the owner of the property bound by the lien or other encumbrance for a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 765.050. Section 765.050.

This article does not apply to a document which acts as a claim of encumbrance by a financial institution, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 14161 of the Penal Code or Section 481.113 of this code, or a public entity, as defined in Section 481.200 of this code.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 765.060. Section 765.060.

If a lien or other encumbrance is recorded or filed against a public officer or employee in violation of Section 765.010, the state or local agency that employs the public officer or employee may provide counsel for the public officer or employee in an action brought pursuant to that section.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026